Seven Shopping Tips: The Holiday Gift Survival Guide for Men

A recent survey found that men are more likely to postpone their holiday shopping than women are. The study, which was performed in Australia, also found that men are more likely to miss out on holiday deals and they are more likely to shop on Christmas Eve then women are.

But, don’t worry, gift giving isn’t as overwhelming as it might seem. Here are the seven things to keep in mind while hunting for the perfect gift this holiday season:

1. Tap into your inner Sherlock. Sadly, women won’t always come right out and say what they want, especially when it comes to holiday gifts. However, if your partner really has her eye on something, she will likely be dropping plenty of hints in order to help you out. Does she keep mentioning a new coat that she saw at the mall? Does she coo every time she sees a diamond earring commercial? Is her Nordstrom’s catalogue turned down at a certain page? Tune into these clues as well as her body language when you are out window shopping or at the store together.

2. Learn from your mistakes. If you have been with your partner for a while, chances are that you have experienced your share of gift successes and gift failures. Think about what presents gave her joy and what presents landed you in the doghouse. For example, the vacuum cleaner might have left her cold, but was she touched by a handwritten card or a new charm for her favorite bracelet?

3. Talk to her friends. Sometimes you have to do a little recon in order to pull off the perfect gift. Talk to her friends or her family about some good ideas, but make sure that you pick a trustworthy associate. You don’t want to pick the friend who always spills secrets after a glass or two of wine! And, pepper their advice with your own ideas and common sense. You might end up knowing your partner’s style better than her pals do.

4. Consider your holiday spending. If you are newly dating, it’s important to make sure that your gift is thoughtful and considerate without being extravagant. Dropping a lot of money on an expensive gift might seem like a smooth move, but if your partner only got you something small, it could just make her feel guilty. Get her a collection of poems from one of her favorite authors or a pair of concert tickets to a band she loves—these gifts show that you know and appreciate her interests, without making her feel overwhelmed or embarrassed.

5. Spark a thoughtful discussion. Ask your partner to describe the best Christmas gift she ever received, whether it was a Barbie Dream House she received 30 years ago or the handmade ornaments the kids gave her last year. Listening to her reminisce about this will help to illuminate what she really loves about the holiday season and what qualities she really treasures in a gift.

6. Be original. A bouquet of red roses or a silver heart necklace sounds like something out of a romantic movie, but that doesn’t mean it is exactly your partner’s cup of tea. Tailor your gift to her unique tastes, whether that’s heavy metal, cooking, karate, etc.!

7. Help make her New Year more luxurious. Surprise your partner with a gift that will keep on a giving, like a standing monthly massage appointment at her favorite spa, or a weekly babysitter who will watch the kids so the two of you have a chance to get away and spend time together. Or surprise her by booking an adults-only weekend trip so that the two of you can enjoy some much-needed TLC.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura Berman, PhD

Laura Berman, PhD, is a leading sex and relationship educator and therapist, popular TV and radio host, New York Times best-selling author, and assistant clinical professor of ob-gyn and psychiatry at the...read more